Telegram from the Council of the League of Nations to the President of the United States

History

Forwarding Assembly Resolutions Adopted to Save Armenia Annex 132 to the Minutes of the Fifth (Closed) Meeting of the Eleventh Session of the Council of the League of Nations November 25, 1920 Protection of Armenia

On November 22, the Assembly of the League of Nations adopted the following resolution:

“The Assembly, desiring to cooperate with the Council in bringing an end as swiftly as possible to the terrible tragedy unfolding in Armenia, requests the Council to propose to the Governments to entrust one of the Powers with the task of taking the necessary measures to halt military operations between Armenia and the Kemalists.”

After deliberation, the Council of the League of Nations resolved to transmit this resolution to the Governments of all Member States of the League, as well as to the Government of the United States.

The aim is to identify a Power capable of offering its good offices to bring a prompt end to the ongoing tragedy. This proposal in no way implies a renewal of the mandate question regarding Armenia.

The Council would never presume to ask the United States to assume obligations it does not wish to undertake. However, as the United States is aware, the Council feels compelled to offer it the opportunity to engage in a matter of the highest humanitarian importance, recognizing that the fate of Armenia has long been of special concern to the American people, and that the President of the United States has already agreed to determine the boundaries of Armenia.

Given the urgency of the matter, the Council respectfully requests the earliest possible reply.

Hymans President of the Council of the League of Nations

Procès-Verbal of the Eleventh Session of the Council of the League of Nations held in Geneva from November 14 to December 18, 1920. League of Nations. Official Journal. [20/29/17]. November–December 1920, p. 81.

Telegram from the Council of the League of Nations to All Member Governments

Appeal for Assistance to Armenia Under Turkish Aggression November 25, 1920 Protection of Armenia

On November 22, the Assembly of the League of Nations adopted the following resolution:

“The Assembly, desiring to cooperate with the Council in bringing an end as swiftly as possible to the terrible tragedy unfolding in Armenia, requests the Council to propose to the Governments to entrust one of the Powers with the task of taking the necessary measures to halt military operations between Armenia and the Kemalists.”

Following discussion, the Council resolved to transmit this resolution to the Governments of all Member States of the League of Nations, as well as to the Government of the United States, whose President has already agreed to determine the boundaries of Armenia.

The Council respectfully asks your Government to indicate whether it is prepared, either independently or in cooperation with others, to undertake on behalf of the League of Nations a mission of the highest humanitarian importance—one that entails no permanent obligations.

In the event of a positive response, the Council would be grateful if you could communicate your decision as swiftly as possible, so that the Council may inform the Assembly before the conclusion of the current session.

Hymans President of the Council of the League of Nations

Annex 132a to the Minutes of the Fifth (Closed) Meeting, November 25, 1920, Eleventh Session of the Council of the League of Nations. Procès-Verbal of the Eleventh Session held in Geneva from November 14 to December 18, 1920. League of Nations. Official Journal. [20/29/17]. November–December 1920, p. 83.

Consideration of Armenia’s Application for Membership in the League of Nations

Fourth Meeting of the Fifth Committee of the League of Nations Geneva, December 1, 1920, 4:30 PM Chair: Mr. Hanause

Dr. Fridtjof Nansen (Norway) delivered a statement regarding Armenia’s request for admission to the League. He noted that the application submitted by Armenia was, in the Committee’s view, properly formulated. The Republic of Armenia was established in May 1918. There is no doubt that its government genuinely represents the Armenian people, even if it cannot be considered a stable government. The report emphasized Armenia’s sincere intention to honor its commitments, as well as the fact that Armenia had signed the Treaty of Sèvres.

In conclusion, Dr. Nansen stated that the Subcommittee had unanimously expressed its sympathy for the Armenian people, though it acknowledged that it could not provide definitive answers to certain questions raised.

Mr. Octavio (Brazil) reminded the Committee that his government had granted de jure recognition to the Armenian government as one of the signatories of the Treaty of Sèvres, in which Armenia is recognized as a sovereign state. In this capacity, Armenia was also included among the states that signed the Covenant of the League of Nations, whose names were recorded in that treaty. The Brazilian delegate further noted that Armenia had been permitted to sign the Minority Protection Agreement. He concluded by expressing hope that the Committee members would unanimously offer Armenia every possible support in its efforts to preserve its independence. He then proposed that a decision be adopted in line with the humanitarian ideals and founding principles of the League of Nations.

Mr. René Viviani (France) supported Mr. Octavio’s proposal and stated his opposition to any reservations, even those based on factual considerations. He emphasized that the acceptance by President Wilson, Spain, and Brazil of the request to mediate between Armenia and its adversaries legitimized any decision that would reinforce the League’s initiative on this matter. Therefore, he proposed that Armenia be admitted to the League.

Mr. Politis (Greece) expressed hope that the delay in determining Armenia’s borders would now be overcome, given President Wilson’s agreement to arbitrate the dispute. His decision would have a retrospective effect and could be seen as a direct consequence of the Treaty of Sèvres. He believed that the Armenian government could be regarded as stable and that its international loyalty was beyond question.

Dr. Nansen (Norway) welcomed the statements made by Mr. Viviani, Mr. Octavio, and Mr. Politis, and expressed his support for Armenia’s admission.

Lord Robert Cecil (South Africa) endorsed Mr. Viviani’s proposal and stated that he would vote in favor of Armenia’s admission. However, he wished to draw attention to two issues. First, admitting Armenia as a member of the League would definitively set aside the previously proposed solution of placing the country under the protection of a mandatory power. Second, he noted that not all League members had been officially obliged, as France and Britain had, to support Armenia. Therefore, it would be appropriate to remind those states that Armenia’s admission would entail full obligations of cooperation in defending the country against external aggression.

Mr. Fisher (British Empire) raised the question of whether, in a few months’ time, it might become evident that Armenia would have been better served by placing its fate in the hands of a mandatory power.

(The meeting was adjourned due to the late hour.)

Source: The Records of the First Assembly Meetings of the Committees. Geneva, 1920. League of Nations.

Appeal of the Council of the League of Nations

To the Governments of Member States and the United States of America Calling for the Rescue of the Armenian People from Imminent Destruction First Assembly of the League of Nations Twelfth Plenary Session Geneva, December 2, 1920, 10:30 AM Chair: Paul Hymans

Exchange of Telegrams Concerning Armenia

Chairman: Gentlemen, before we proceed to the agenda, I wish to make several statements to the Assembly regarding Armenia.

Following extensive debates held last week and the unanimous decision of the Assembly to undertake renewed efforts to save the Armenian people from the destruction that threatens them, the Council of the League of Nations issued an urgent appeal to all governments of League member states and to the Government of the United States of America.

Gentlemen, here is the text of the telegram we sent on November 25, 1920, to all member states of the League of Nations:

“The Assembly, wishing to cooperate with the Council in bringing an end as swiftly as possible to the terrible tragedy unfolding in Armenia, requests the Council to propose to the Governments to entrust one of the Powers with the task of taking the necessary steps to halt military operations between Armenia and the Kemalists.”

After deliberation, the Council resolved to transmit this resolution to the Governments of all League member states and to the Government of the United States, whose President had already agreed to determine the boundaries of Armenia.

“The Council respectfully asks your Government to indicate whether it is prepared, either independently or in cooperation with others, to undertake on behalf of the League of Nations a humanitarian mission of exceptional importance, which moreover entails no permanent obligations.

In the event of a positive response, the Council would be grateful if you could communicate your decision as swiftly as possible, so that the Council may inform the Assembly before the conclusion of the current session.”

At the same time, we sent a telegram directly to the President of the United States. In that message, we reiterated the contents of the resolution adopted by the League of Nations and added:

“The Council of the League of Nations, after discussing this matter, resolved to transmit this resolution to the Governments of all League member states and to the Government of the United States.

The aim is to identify a Power capable of using its influence to bring a prompt end to the terrible tragedy taking place in Armenia. This proposal in no way implies a renewal of the mandate question regarding Armenia.

The Council would not consider it appropriate to ask the United States to assume obligations it does not wish to undertake; however, as the United States understands, the Council feels compelled to offer it the opportunity to engage in a mission of such importance and high humanitarian value, recognizing that the fate of Armenia has long been of special concern to the American people, and that the President of the United States has already agreed to determine Armenia’s borders.”

Yesterday, December 1, we received the following telegram from the President of the United States:

“I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your telegram conveying the contents of the resolution adopted by the Assembly of the League of Nations, in which the Assembly requests the Council to reach an understanding with the Governments with the aim of entrusting a Power with the necessary measures to halt military operations in Armenia.

You have offered the United States the opportunity to carry out a humanitarian mission by employing its good offices to bring an end to the present tragedy in Armenia, and you assure me that your proposal does not entail a renewed request to accept a mandate for the administration of Armenia.”

Statement by President Woodrow Wilson

Response to the Appeal of the League of Nations

Although the invitation to accept a mandate over Armenia was declined by the United States Senate, our country has repeatedly expressed concern for the fate and well-being of the Armenian people in such a manner and to such a degree as to justify your assertion that Armenia’s destiny has always been a matter of special interest to the American people.

I do not possess the authority to propose or employ the armed forces of the United States in any plans to assist Armenia; any material contribution would require the consent of Congress, which is not currently in session, and whose actions I cannot foresee. However, provided I receive assurances of moral and diplomatic support from the Principal Powers, and in the spirit of sympathy toward the Council’s appeal, I am prepared to offer my good offices and propose personal mediation through a representative whom I may appoint, in order to bring an end to the military operations currently being waged against the Armenian people and to restore peace and concord between the opposing parties. I await the Council’s indication of the appropriate channel through which my proposal should be conveyed, and the identification of the parties to whom it should be addressed.

(Signed) Woodrow Wilson (Applause)

The applause of the Assembly reflects how deeply moved and grateful we all are. The suffering of Armenia has horrified the world; the American people have repeatedly expressed their profound revulsion at the massacres of Armenians. We are heartened to know that President Wilson, one of the founders of the League of Nations, has responded to our appeal and offered to intervene to end the tragedy unfolding in Asia Minor.

Telegrams from Spain and Brazil

We have also received telegrams from the Government of Spain and the Government of Brazil.

Prime Minister Dato of Spain sent the following message:

“In response to the telegram Your Excellency kindly sent me on the 26th of this month, I have the honor to inform you that His Majesty’s Government of Spain, although not directly involved in the events concerning Armenia’s grave situation, regards this unfortunate people—victims of so many misfortunes—with deep sympathy. Although the Spanish Government is unable to determine the precise content of the resolution’s provisions, it wishes to declare its willingness to participate in any moral or diplomatic action aimed at achieving the peaceful objectives pursued with such diligence and devotion by the League of Nations.” (Signed) Dato

Brazilian Foreign Minister Azevedo Marques sent the following telegram:

“In response to Your Excellency’s telegram conveying the Assembly’s resolution regarding Armenia, I have the honor to inform Your Excellency that the Government of Brazil is prepared to contribute, either independently or in cooperation with other Powers, to efforts aimed at ending Armenia’s desperate situation.” (Signed) Azevedo Marques

These generous offers from Brazil and Spain fill us with joy and gratitude. On behalf of the Assembly, I wish to thank them.

Follow-up Telegram from the Council to President Wilson

After receiving these messages, the Council of the League of Nations sent the following telegram to President Wilson:

“On behalf of the Council of the League of Nations, I thank you for your telegram of December 1 [November 30], in which you agreed to act as mediator between the Armenians and the Kemalists and stated your intention to appoint a representative for this purpose. The Council is deeply gratified and thankful for your decision.

The Council requests me to inform you that the Spanish Government has expressed its willingness to participate in any moral or diplomatic actions in support of Armenia, and that the Brazilian Government has declared its readiness to act either independently or in cooperation with other states to help end the current situation in Armenia.

The Council therefore asks both Governments to contact you directly regarding the best means of organizing cooperation in this endeavor. Negotiations with the Armenian Government may begin immediately in Erivan. As for the Kemalists, the Council is taking steps to identify the most effective method of establishing contact with them and will inform you further on this matter as soon as possible.” (Signed) Hymans, President of the Council

Telegrams to Spain and Brazil

The following telegram was sent to Mr. Dato in Madrid:

“On behalf of the Council of the League, we thank you for your telegram of November 30 regarding Armenia. The Council is greatly pleased and deeply grateful for your response. The Government of Brazil has sent a similar message.

At the same time, President Wilson has informed the Council that he agrees to offer his good offices and act personally as mediator through a representative he may appoint, in order to bring an end to the open military operations against Armenia.

The Council has therefore sent a reply to President Wilson, expressing gratitude for his acceptance of the proposed mission and informing him of your response and that of the Brazilian Government. The Council requests that you establish direct contact with President Wilson to determine how best to organize cooperation in this effort.” (Signed) Hymans, President of the Council

An identical telegram was sent to the Foreign Minister of Brazil in Rio de Janeiro.

Closing Remarks

I am confident that we all sincerely wish for Armenia to be saved and hope for the restoration of a just and lasting peace—one that will allow this afflicted nation to heal its wounds, build an independent life, and determine its own destiny. The world will watch with concern the efforts of President Wilson and will see, with profound satisfaction, a ray of hope on Armenia’s distant horizon.

Gentlemen, I propose that we send official messages of gratitude to President Wilson and to the Governments of Brazil and Spain, affirming the League of Nations’ moral support—and, I may say, the support of the civilized world. (Applause)

Lord Robert Cecil (South Africa): I shall not take more than a few minutes of your time…

We must congratulate ourselves on this great success. We are about to engage in mediation or negotiations, but let us not forget the danger: at this moment, as I understand it, Armenia is covered in snow; operations there are difficult, if not impossible, and however much one may wish for peace, one will face immense challenges. But this situation will last only through the winter. When the snow melts, the possibility of renewed military action will arise.

If these negotiations do not succeed—though we all hope they will—if they happen to fail, and nothing is done in the meantime, Armenia’s situation in the spring will be even more dire than it is now.

We must not relax our efforts. We have pledged to help Armenia, and we must use the coming weeks and months not to prepare for renewed warfare, but rather to provide Armenia with the aid and support that will allow it to become a self-respecting and self-sufficient nation. That is the task I wish to draw to the Assembly’s attention, and I hope the Assembly will not misunderstand me when I earnestly urge it not to weaken its efforts because of these negotiations, but rather to use this period of calm to help Armenia gather strength, to accomplish something concrete, and to achieve something that will bring real benefit to Armenia and to those neighboring it. (Applause) 625

Yuri Barsegov “Nagorno-Karabakh in International Law and Global Politics”

Artatsolum

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